Tuesday, September 17, 2013

A former city council member in the eastern Idaho city of Rigby has entered an Alford plea after being charged with insurance fraud. An Alford plea allows the defendant to assert his innocence, while admitting that he could be found guilty based on the evidence.

Reid Blackburn was arrested in May following an investigation from the Idaho Attorney General's Office, which alleged that Blackburn falsely identified himself as the son of an annuity applicant. Blackburn was also accused of using the money from the applicant's estate for a variety of personal expenses.

Blackburn faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in November. Meanwhile, he remains free on bond.